The Sound Mind Music Festival for Mental Health has announced the details for its 2022 event set to take place in New York, NY’s Central Park on Saturday, May 21st.
The annual event amplifies the voices of artists who are speaking openly about their mental health to elevate the conversation and build a community and culture that breaks the stigma that exists today.
The festival will kick off Central Park’s summer concert season with performances by Cold War Kids, Big Boi, American Authors, KAMAUU, Wrabel, and Allison Russell alongside comedian Gina Brillon, who will serve as the host. The 2022 edition of Sound Mind Mental Health Music Festival will also be streamed live on TikTok for the first time.
“Mental health has always been an issue that I’ve recognized,” Big Boi noted in a press release. “I’m hyped to be a part of an event that bridges the gap between music and raising awareness of how we can improve support systems.”
“I have been doing therapy for five years now,” Cold War Kids’Â Nathan Willett added. “The work we have done has changed my life and my relationships for the better. I am so grateful to advocate for mental health with the Sound Mind Music Festival.”
This year, the Sound Mind Music Festival for Mental Health focuses on the mental health impact of COVID-19 and the support needed to address the healing process—including information on mental health resources, suicide prevention, and best practices for self-care. It also gives the festival’s performers an opportunity to share their personal stories about their mental health struggles and empower others.
“There is an urgency to address the collective trauma experienced as a result of the pandemic,” says Sound Mind Live Executive Director Chris Bullard. “In this current climate, our work to end the stigma surrounding mental health is an essential first step in a healing process that includes open dialogue, knowledge, and empathy. We hope that this year’s festival, with its amazing performers, will generate awareness and open doors to needed support.”
The festival’s ticket sales will benefit the National Alliance on Mental Health of New York City and its local affiliates, and livestream ticket-buyers will have the opportunity on the livestream to donate to their local National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliate. NAMI, the largest grassroots mental health organization in the U.S., provides free programs and services to individuals facing mental health issues.
Fans can also enter to win a signed snare drum from Cold War Kids and a signed microphone from Big Boi if they sign a petition to improve mental health crisis response services here.
Tickets for the May 21st event go on sale Friday, March 11th at 10 a.m. ET. Prices range from $40 (general admission) to $149.50 (VIP). Purchase tickets here.
This year’s event is made possible by the generous support of AbbVie and The Sozosei Foundation. AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow, while Sozosei’s primary focus is to decriminalize mental illness in the United States.
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